Warning

October Collision Repair Education Foundation News

October was a busy month for the Collision Repair Education Foundation.

CREF Receives Highest Rating From Charity Navigator

For the fourth consecutive year, the Collision Repair Education Foundation has been awarded the highest rating for sound fiscal management and commitment to accountability and transparency by Charity Navigator, the country’s largest and most-utilized independent evaluator of charities. Charity Navigator has awarded the Collision Repair Education Foundation an “exceptional” ranking of four stars out of a possible four, demonstrating adherence to good governance and fiscal responsibility.

"Since 2009, the collision industry has provided over $50 million in product and monetary donations to high school and college collision school programs, instructors, and students through the Education Foundation," a statement from CREF read. "With the organization averaging 90 cents of every dollar donated being returned to this group, its supporters can be assured that their donations are being reinvested properly."

$110,000 Raised During CREF's Annual Industry Fundraiser

The annual CREF industry fundraiser, co-hosted by PPG Automotive Refinish, raised $110,000 through the support of attendees and sponsors. Sponsors and participants enjoyed a day of golf at the Black & Gold Golf Course in Yorba Linda, California on August 10th, 2016 and the funds raised from this event will go toward supporting scholarships and grants for collision schools and students.

“PPG is proud to support this event at such a high level, not only as it brings together industry professionals from around the country, but also for the fact that it assists the Foundation’s efforts to ensure that high school and college collision students are job-ready when they graduate and enter the industry,” said Domenic Brusco, PPG Automotive Refinish senior manager, Industry Relations. “As the Education Foundation staff will be working towards another great event in 2017, I would encourage industry members to consider participating through a sponsorship, attendees, and/or donating items to the events raffle table and silent auction.”

“Through our incredible sponsors, attendees, and volunteers, we had another great golf fundraiser event that will significantly assist in the Education Foundation’s abilities to support high school and college collision school programs," said CREF director of development Brandon Eckenrode. "A special thanks to PPG Automotive Refinish for their continued co-sponsorship. We are already starting to plan for the 2017 event, and with it taking place in our hometown of Chicago, we believe it will be the best yet.”

CREF Wraps Up Career Fair Schedule With Atlanta and Columbus Events

After a year of 14 successful high school and college collision career fairs around the country, CREF is hosting two remaining events this fall, taking place in Atlanta, GA on October 20th and Columbus, OH on November 16th. Both are anticipated to be successful, as Atlanta will host a record 25 participating companies and the Columbus event brings 400+ students.

“These career fairs have been an incredible success in connecting soon-to-be graduating collision students with industry employers, but they have also served as motivation for students who are just starting their technical education, as they can see and meet all the companies who are interested in their futures,” noted Eckenrode. “We are looking to take these events to another level by working together with local associations and groups in major geographic markets around the country in order to expand the number of these events and reach even more students in 2017. We invite all collision industry members to join us at these events and help address the need for highly trained young professionals to enter the industry.”

To continue these successful events next year, the Collision Repair Education Foundation will be announcing the spring 2017 schedule of career fairs this fall, which will include events taking place in new cities/markets while also hosting events in major markets that took place this past spring.